Chapter 2.

    The door to my room flew open and Kristy Thomas, the BSC's president, burst in. "Is she here — ?" she began loudly. Then she spottedLynn, and her voice dropped to a whisper. "Oh, she's beautiful," Kristy said. 'And she's grown so much already. I can't believe it." She reached out to strokeLynn's head.

   Lynnwas stirring by then, making little baby noises as she stretched. "Can you go downstairs and ask my mom to heat some formula?" I whispered to Kristy. "I bet she'll be hungry when she wakes up." Kristy nodded. "I'll bring it up in a couple of minutes," she promised. She was still gazing atLynn.

   Lynnstretched again. "Hurry!" I said. I didn't wantLynnto have to wait.

    Kristy bolted out the door. I started cooing overLynn, telling her softly that a snack was on its way.

    By the time Kristy came back with a warm bottle of formula, the rest of the BSC members had arrived and Lynn, who was wide awake by then, was the center of attention. I'd promised everyone a turn at holding her, but I wanted to be the one to begin giving her the bottle. Kristy handed it over reluctantly and I offered it to Lynn. Her eyes closed in happy satisfaction as she sucked and drank, and my friends clustered around, discussing in whispers her shiny black hair, her perfect little hands, her gorgeous ears.

    "Okay, I have two announcements," Kristy said finally. "First of all, I hereby call this meeting to order. And second, it's my turn." She sat down in the director's chair by my desk and held out her arms.

    Carefully, I transferred Lynn and her bottle. It was hard to give her up, but she didn't seem to mind being held by another person. At first, , that made me just the tiniest bit jealous, since I want her to love me best of all. But then I decided that it was a good character trait for my cousin to have. She makes friends easily and adjusts well to new surroundings. I hope she'll always be that way.